Boiler-timing device.



P. W. WOOD.

BOILER TIMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 1911.

Patented Sept. 10, 1912.

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F. W. WOOD.

BOILER TIMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 1911.

L@3&4t%@ Patented Sept. 10,1912

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BOILER TIMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. '1, 1911,

Patented Sept. 10,

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Fran/i M Maud M E e M motor to connect the transmission lines PATENT OFFICE.

BOILER-TIMING" DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1912.

Application filed November 7, 1911. Serial no. 659,025.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK W. WOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new-and useful Improvements in Boiler-Timing Devices, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to electric timing devices for signaling in the systematic firing of boilers, and is especially adapted for. use on board ship.

On board ship it is particularly desirable that the boilers be fired regularly and in alternate groups to preserve a uniform steam pressure since the opening of the doors of too many of the boilers at one time are likely to cause serious falls of steam pressure just when it is most desirable that the pressure should be maintained. Furthermore, by firing according to the regular uniform system, the amount of fuel used is greatly reduced, by reason of the fact that the fuel is most economically used. Further advantage results by reason of the fact that the firemen can do better work for longer periods of time, their efiorts being made to count for the most. While of the particular relation and adaptation stated, however, it .will be evident upon an understanding of my invention that it may be used in other situations with the same and perhaps greater advantage. Such timing devices are not broadly new, and my invention has to do with the production of a timing device which is positive, reliable and accurate in its indications, which may be most readily adjusted as regards the number of boilers which it indicates shall be fired at any given time, and as to the'interval which is to pass between the successive firings. My aim has been to secure these ends in a system comprising mechanical construction which is simple, light in weight, and relatively cheap to manufacture.

To these ends my invention comprises a motor operated transmitter, usually located in the engine room, and associated with transmission lines leading'to indicators at the several boilers, or in the several fire rooms in which they are located. This transmitter comprises a mechanism having switch contacts adapted to be operated by a th a source of power to actuate signalsfor the boilers in the rooms. In each transmission line there is located an individual switch by which any particular indicator may be disconnected from the transmitter andxhence removed from the control of the timing devlce.

Further, and of chief importance, my invent-ion comprises timing contacts adjustable in position with respect to-each other and the time of operation, be operated by anautomatically reversing substantially constant speed electric motor,

. the said timing contacts controlling the operating circuit of the motor of the transmitter, and said transmitter carrying cont-acts adapted automatically to reverse the'aforesaid constant speed motor, thereby to cause the timing contacts to be alternately operated.

Further structural details of my invention and further advantages resulting therefrom will be apparent from the following detail consideration of it.

In the drawings disclosing one embodiment of my invention, it being of course understood that my invent-ion may be given a number of forms without departing from its generic spirit; Figure 1 is a general diagrammatic illustration of my invention showing the electric circuits of all of the de vices including the connections from the source of power and to the indicators. Fig. 2 is acentml longitudinal and vertical section of the timing device and transmitter. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the dial on which the time intervals are marked, and with respect to which the device is adjusted. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View of the timing apparatus.

Referring to the drawi in which similar characters designate'li e parts throughout the several views, and first to Fig. 1, A, B, O and D designate receiving indicators of any known or desired type, whichindicators are located in the several boiler rooms at any convenient place. Located in the engine room, or in any other suitable place for control by the proper parties, is the motor operated transmitting and timing device designated generally 10. Conductors 11 are led from the indicators A, B, C and D to the device 10.

The motor operated transmitter comprises sets of movableswitch contacts 12 13 and 14, and 15, 16 and 17, and a motor evice, at present in the form of a relay 18 adapted to operate first one set 12, 13, 14 into a. coiiperand adapted to 19 throug I the left hand contact 12,

nections may be made from which are -tor 26 tothe ating set 12, 13', 14' of the fixed contacts, and then the other set 15, 16.and 17 into a corres ondin set of contacts 15', 16' and 17 onnections are made from the lines 11 through individual switches n, b, c and dto while other conthe other set-s of indicators through conductors 11' and indi .vidual switches e,j, g and h to the extreme right hand Contact 17 g The transmitter is connected with a source? of power Sthrough the conductorsl9 and: 20, conductor 19 being the positive line and conductor 20 the negative line. A common negative conductor 21 is. connected with each;

of the indicators A, B, C and D. z

The movable contacts of the transmitter; are carried upon a pivoted cross bar 22 to; fixed armatures registering with; magnets 23 and 24 of the relay 18 to work the bar 22 and; bring, first the movable con tacts on one side into connection with the; corresponding fixed contacts, and thenthe' movable contacts on the other side with their; corresponding fixed contacts. As shown, the contacts on. the left hand side are in engagement, and an electrical circuit may be traced; from the ositive line of the source of power; the contacts 12 and 12, the conductor 25 and switches a, b, c and Z, and con; ductors 11, then through the indicators back; to the ne ative line 20 byway of the com-' mon con uctor 21. Thus each of the indicators A, B, C and D are energized. Thesei may be thus on the starboard side of the ship. Whenthe bar 22cis oscillated, by the energization of the magnet 24, to bring the. right hand contacts into engagement a simi-; lar circuit may be traced from conductor 19; through'the contacts 17 and 17; the conducintermediate individual, switches e, f,g and h, and then by wa of; the conductors 11 to another set-of in ica'-- tors which may be located on the port side of the ship.

The magnets 23 and 24 of the relay 18 are energized, to cause the aforesaid ope'ragag tion, through the control of the timing device. This tim g device comprises stationthe contacts 27 and 28 and the positive conductor 19, through conductor 31 connecting. directly with-contact 27 and with contact 28 through a brush 32 bearing on ring 30. A conductor 33 leads from the contact 27 to the magnet 24 of the relay 18, while conductor 34 leads from a brush 32', hearing on ring 30, to the other magnet 23 of the through contacts ductor 38' and the armature of the motor 35,

relay 18. A motor 35 is adapted to be actuated from the source of power S, alternately through the contacts 13, 13"and 16, 16', reversing the motor 35 upon each oscillation of the bar 22. The motor 35 is adapted to revolve at about 1,600 revolutions per minute, and is connected by a suitable reduction gearing 36, preferably worm gearing as shown, to a shaft 29 to rotate the latter at approximately one-fifth of a revolution per minute. The shaft 29' is disposed in longitudinal alinement with and. concentric to the shaft 29, as may be understood from Figs. 2, '3 and 5. The shaft 29 carries an arm 37 provided at its outer end with an insulatedlaterally extending abutment 37 alternately engaging the contacts 27 and 28. When the abutment 37 strikes the contact 27 the circuit through the contacts 27 and 27 is .closed to energize the magnet 24 of the relay 18, drawing the adjacent end of the bar 22' hand contacts of the relay. ment 37 strikes the contact 28- the circuit is closed through the contacts 28 and 28 and the magnet 23 of the relay, drawing down the adjacent end of the b 1r 22 and closing the left hand contacts of the relay. The motor is provided with a normally excited field 38 connected directly across the lines 19 and 20 of the source of power S. With the contacts 12,13 and 14 in the position shown, the motor operates at a substantially constant speed in one direction. We will assume that vthis direction is such as to provide a counter-clock wise rotation of the shaft 29, th'e arm 37 having closedthe contacts 28 and 28 and energized temporarily the magnet 23 of the relay 18. Under these conditions the motor is operated by a current which passes from the conductor '19 13 and 13, through con- When the abutthrough conductor 39 and cross-connection 10, contacts 14' and 14 and back to the conductor 20. As soon as the abutment 37-enes the contact 27 the circuit of the magdown and closing the right a net 24 is closed, as aforesaid, and connections are broken on the left hand side of the relay 18, and are made on the right hand side,

the armature circuit of the motor 35 thus being reversed. Current passes from the line 19 through the contacts 16' and 16, through the conductor 39, armature of the motor 35, conductor 38', the cross-connection 41 to contacts 15 and 15, and back to the line 20. Thus the operating arm 37 of the timing contacts has its movement reversed, and it thereupon moves back at a constant speed to close the contacts 28 and 28' once more, whereupon the cycle of operation described 13 repeated. Thus by this simple device the groups of indicators A, B, C, and D, and those associated with the conductors 11', are

alternately energized, contact being first the indicators and thenthe other group will be energized at regular intervals. An ad- 5 justment of the intervalis provided, and this adjustment will be more fully understood from a consideration of the practical structural embodiment in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Re-

- ferring to these figures, 44 designatesa casmg having upper and lower compartments.

the upper one of which is closed by a hinged cover 45. The hinged cover 45 is held closed by special head screws that can be loosened only by a complementalkey to prevent access. by unauthorized persons. A suitable packing is interposed between the cover 45 and the casing 44 to seal the compartment. On the inside of. the cover 45 are secured the elements of the transmitting and timing device. I The motor is secured to the upper end of the cover, the shafts 29 and 29' to the middle of the cover-byasuitable casing 45? which also supports the contacts 27 and 27 and to the lower end of the cover is at- 5 tached the relay 18. The brushes 32 and 32 are fixed to the frame 45*, registering with the rings'30 and 30 bearing against the same at opposite sides. The outer end of the shaft 29 is reduced, as

40 at 47, such reduced ortion ofthe shaft 29,

pro ecting through t e cover of the casing 44, and carrying upon this outer end a fixed pointer arm 48, by which the shaft 29 is adjusted to move the contacts 28 and 28 -45 in a circular direction and to any desired position toward or from thecontacts 27 and 27 The cover 45 is provided at its middle with a circular depression providing a dial in back of the pointer 48, the dial having a concentric circularboss with a dove-tailed groove 49" receiving the correspondingly formed head of a clamping bolt 50. The bolt 50 passes outwardly through the pointer 48, adjacent its outer end, and 1s surrounded by an inwardly extending boss on the pointer registering with, and bearing against, the boss of the dial. A preferably knurled thumb nut 51 is carried upon the outer end of the bolt 50, and binds against the pointer W to force the latter against the dial when ad'- justed. The dial has a scale 52 laid ofi in minutes and seconds, preferably ten minutes, thereby admitting of the separating of the pairs of contacts 28, 28 fr m the pairs of stationarycontacts 27, 27' dlstances pro- Lights 42 and '43,

on the shaft 29, and.

ducing various time intervals up to ten minutes-between the reversals of the mot-or 35.

The arm 37 and contacts 28 and 28 are so set with respect to each other. and with respectto the scale 52 that the scale marklngs represent true time intervals, as determined by the speed of the motor 35.

The lower compartment of the casing 44 contains the line switches a, b, 0, etc., the fuses and such other apparatus needed for the control of the connections from the source of power. A small hinged cover 53 closes the lower compartment and is held in suchposition by dogs 54, or the like, admitting ready access to the switches.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a timing device for electric circuits, a plurality ofswitches included in the circuits, a relay for alternately closing and opening the circuits in separate groups, a pair of stationary contacts in circuit with one side of the relay, a pair of movable contacts adjustable toward and from the Sta-- tionary cont-acts and in circuit with the opposite side of the relay, a closing arm movable between the pairs of contacts to alternately close the same and operate the relay, a reversible motor for actuating the closing arm, and a motor circuit controlled by the relay for reversing the motor.

2. A timed signal system comprising a transmitter having fixed and movable contacts and a swinging arm for alternate engagement with the contacts, means upon the transmitter for adjusting the movable contacts toward and from the fixed contacts, a motor associated with the transmitter to swing the arm, switches controllable by the fixed and movable contacts to reverse the motor, and separate groups of electric circuits associated with the switches whereby the groups of circuits are alternately opened and closed.

3. A timed signal system comprising a transmitter having spaced circuit closing devices, means for varying the space separating said devices, a swinging arm for alternate engagement with thesaid devices, a motor for moving said arm, switches controllable by the circuit closing devices to reverse the motor, and separate electric cirvcuits associated with said switches whereby said switches are alternately opened and closed.

4. An electric timing device comprising a source of power, a motor driven from the source of power, groups of electric circuits, a relay arranged in circuit with the. source of power and the motor for reversing the motor and alternately closing the groups of circuits, spaced pairs of contacts associated with the relay to operate the same and effect the reversing of the motor, one pair of contacts being movable with respect to the opposite pair, and closing means actuated by source of power and the motor whereby the. latter isreversed and being associated with the vgroups of circuits to alternately close the same, a movable arm having operative connection with the motor to swing the arm,-

fixed contacts arranged in the path of the arm, adjustable contacts arranged in the path of the arm and adapted for movement toward and from the fixed contacts, said contacts being in circuit with the opposite sides of said relay, and means for' ad usting said movable contacts.

6. A timing device for signal systemscomprising a reversible motor, a transmitter 1n operative connection wlth the motor,

.a swinging arm carried by the transmitter,

fixed contacts in the path'of said arm, a djustable contracts in the path of said arm and adapted for movement toward or from the fixed contacts to vary the time between the operation of the same, and signal circuits controllable through the contacts for alternately actuating'the signals.

7 In combination with groups of electric indicator circuits, separate groups of switches for closing the vcircuits, a rela) associated with the switches for alternately opening and closing the groups, a motor, an arm driven by the motor, and pairs -of contacts in the path of the arm adapted to be alternately closed by the same and being associated with the opposite sides of the relay to actuate the latter, said motor being closed in circuit by said relay whereby the motor is reversed.

8. In combination with a plurality of indicator circuits, opposed groups of switches associated with the circuits to control the same, a relay operatively connected with the switches to alternately open and close the groups of the same, a pair of stationary contacts in circuit through one side of the relay,

a pair of adjustable contacts in circuit with the opposite side of the relay, a motor, a motor circuit controllable by the relay for reversing the motor, and an arm operated by the motor to move between the pairs of contacts to alternately close the same.

9. The combination with a plurality of indicator circuits and switches arranged in opposed groups for closing the circuits, of a relay associated with the groups of switches to alternately open and close the same, a pair of contacts in circuit with one side of the relay to close the switches at that side upon the closing "of the contacts, a pair of posite. side of the relay to adjustable contacts-in circuit with the opclose the opposite switches upon the closing'of the adjustable contacts, said adjustab e contacts being movable toward and from the fixed con-c tacts to, vary the distance therebetween, a movable arm adapted to travel betweer'rthe pairs of contacts for alternately closing the same, and a motor for; actuatingi said'arm,

said motor being closed in circuit by said relay to reverse themotor.

10. A timing device comprising groups of opposed switches for closing groups of circuits, a relay arranged between theswitches for alternately opening and closing the same, a motor, a motor circuit asso-' ciated with opposed switches in said roups for reversing. the motor, an arm movable by the motor, fixed contacts in the path of the arm in circuit with one side of the relay, ad justable contacts movable toward and from the fixed contacts, and in the path. of the arm and being in circuit with the opposite side of the relay, and manually, operable means for the movable'contacts whereby the latter may be moved toward and from the fixed contacts to vary the time interval of the movement of the arm between the contacts,

separate groups of switches for closing the circuits,- closing means for alternately clos- 11. In a timing device for electric circuits,

ing the switches in separate groups, spaced airs of contacts associated with the closmg means to efiect the closing of the op-v posite groups of switches, a motor-driven arm movable between the contacts to alternately close the same, and a motor circuit associated with. said closing means to reverse the movement of said' arm.

. 12. In a timing device for electric signal systems, aplurality of circuits, separate groups of switches for closing the circuits, one of said circuits being a'motor circuit, a motor in said circuit adapted to be reversed upon the alternate closing of said groups of switches, an arm operated by the motor, fixed contacts in the path of said arm, a relay associated with the fixed contacts to close one group of said switches, adjustable wltnesses.

FRANK W. WOOD. 'Witnesses:

FRANK L.. NOVAK, OSWALD HOUGLAND. 

